Shock absorber



Jan. 17, 1928. 1,656,641

E. L. LE-INBACH SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Oct. 4. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Patented Jan. 17, 1928.

EDWARD I. LEINBACIr-, OF CHICAGO, ILIILIINCDIS.`

snocx ABSORBER.

Application led October 4, 1926. Serial No. 139,383@

rlhis invent-ion relates to improvements in shock absorbers particularly adapted though not necessarily limited in its use for`controlling the movements or variations of supporting springs of vehicles relative to the running gear frame, which does not affect the action of the springs in compressing but retards or modifies the rebound or upward movement of the springs when they are sub jected to violent shocks and rebounds due to obstructions' or irregularities in .the road bed.

A further object is to provide an improved shock absorber of this character, having means for controlling the maximum vamount of friction in the `shock absorber.

A further object is to provide an improved shock absorber of this character which will permit the vehicle springs to' have a limited degree of free movement under normal conditions and during which time the shock absorber will be inactive with respect to modifying or retarding the spring action, but which will quickly and automatically be rendered active by the slightest abnormal condition. f i

` To the attainment of 'these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful'ob`- jects aswill appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention, and in which Figure l is a face view of a shock absorber constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention and with the cap or cover plate removed, showing the parts in one position to permit a limited degreeof free movement under normal conditions.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure l showingv the parts in another position ,in which the friction is applied to the fullest extent.

Figure 3 is a detail. sectional view taken on line 3 3, Figure l.

Figure l is a detail sectional view `taken on line 1 -4, Figure 5. 1

Figure 5 a sectional view taken on line o o, Figure l.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6 6, Figure 5. A

Figure 7 is` a detail perspective View of a portion of one of the drums and the anchoring means for one end of the friction band.

Figure 8 is a detail sectional view taken on line 8 8, Figure l.

Figure 9 is a detail perspective vieW or another portion of the friction band showing the @fo-operating stops or portions for determining the maximum amount of a load or degree of friction to be applied by the friction band.

Inthe present invention Athe resistanceto f the recoil of the springs of the vehicle is obtained by friction by means of the action of a suitable split friction band interposed between concentrically arranged drum like members, one of which is fixed or stationary` oscillatable about the and the other being fixed drum.

One end of the friction band is yieldingly anchored to the stationary or fixed drum, the other ,end of the band being free but yieldingly and frictionally anchored to the other drum so that when the drums are rotated in one direction, one with relation to the other, the band will be contracted to permit a free and easy movement `between,

` crease the friction between the band and one of the drums, with the result that the rela-tive movement of the drums will be retarded.

Means are also provided whereby the maximum amount of friction thus created may be controlled at the high point or at the point generally known or designated as the peak load of friction'. Y

Referring more particularly ings the numeral 10 designates generallya drum like member which is provided with a bearing ll to receive a` trunnion l2, which latter is connected with a bracket 13 or any suitable support.

Extending about the periphery 14 of the drum is a flexible member or strap l5, one end of which is anchored as@ at 16 in any to the drawsuitable nninner to the periphery of the drinn, and the member 15 encompasses the drinn and is adapted to be Wound thereupon and un round therefrom, the free end 1T of the ineinber 15 being adopted tei be anchored by one extremity to any suitable portion of the Vehicle.

Arranged within the drinn is another drinn like ineinber which is hollint inrl is held against rotation by means of an an gulzir portion 19 of the.trininion` 12 passing into an angular shaped opening 2O in the body portion of the drinn 18a the extremity 2l of the trunnion 12 passing lfieyond the body portion of the drinn 18 find beingprovided 1with threads adapted toV receive e nnt 22B, the body portion 23 of the nut 22 being reduced about its periphery7 for .fi purpose to be hereinafter deecribed.

The periphery7 2l o-f the lined or stationziry drinn 18 is spaced fil-ein the periphery let of the drinn 10 for a` considerable dietiince :ind arranged Within this space is a split friction` criniting` ineniber or Vband 25.

rtrronged within the drinn 18 is a coiled spring 26, one end of which is anchored as at 2T to the drinn 18` :ind the other end of the spring is anchored as at 28 to the bea-ring or hub of the rotatalile drinn 10. rlibe anchor for the inner end of the sprine" 2b may be provided by forming ai projection 2t) on the hnb of the drinn 118 and over which projection the end 28 of the spring is adapted to engage. y coiled that when the flexible member uiiwound 'f1-oni the drinn 10 to rotnte the latter the spring 26 will be coiled np to store energy therein eo that when the bend or nieinliier 15 becomes slaclr the energy stored in the spring 26 Will cause the drinn 10 to` rotiite to wind up thereupon the flexible ineniber 15.

The ends of the friction creating nieniber tern'iiinitev short of each other and the ineinber is secured to the stationary drinn by one end thereof through the inedinin of a spring 30. One end 31 of the spring 30 is sented` in an eye 3Q, which in turn ie secured to the periphery 24 of the drinn 1S; The other end of the spring is Seated in an eye Set carried by a resilient nieinber 35 which in turn is secured to the inner face of the friction creating n'ieinber 25. The tendency of the resilient incinber 35i is to normally expand the friction creating;` ineinber Within the drinn 10ibnt only with siii ficient force that the outer surface of the friction erecting nieinber 25 will stand in close proximity to the inner foce of the periphery let of the drinn 10. that the drinn 15.

may have a free oscillatory movement for o. limited extent :ibontthe drinn 18 under nornnil conditions.

The drinn 1i) Will also have 'ai free more ment with relation to the drinn 18 in one The Spring :2G is soi direction, or in the direction of movement of the drinn 10, which will canse the Hex ible nieniber 15 to be `wound thereupon.

When, however,l the drinn 1U is rotated in the opposite direction with respect to the drinn 18 the resilient .ineinber 35 will hold the friction creating element Q5 in contact with the inner periphery 1-1t of the drinn l0 `with sniiicient friction at the commencement of the inovernent of the drinn l() in seid direction to censo the; friction creating inein ber 2 to be expanded or opened, thereby increasingthedcgree of friction betiiieen the friction creating member and the drinn 1U, to retard the return increment of the drinn 10. i

This is ziccoinplisheil by reason of the fact that the iirietion cci-citing element S25 is en cliored :it one end und. also by reason ofthe fzict that when the drinn 1() rotates heck- Wardly the friction` creating element 25 will expend.

Upon the forward increment of the drinn 10 With respect to the drinn 1S the friction creating ineinber 'will be contracted ond the degree of. friction will be reduced.

In: order to increeee the `initial degree of friction between the friction erecting elen-ient and the inner face of the; periphery letcf the driini. 10, there provided a nicni ber 3o which entends between the periphery 2i of the drinn lond the adjacent foce of the friction creating elenient This nient bei" 3G is, preferablty proiiided with a lng or projection whit-hi entere ii recess 138 inV the adjnccnt portion of the friction, creating elenrent 25, preferably 1n proximity to the extremity 3l) of the friction creating ele1nent,.

so as to secure the letter together to prevent accidental displacement.

The nieinber 36 entende over and rests argainet the body portion of the drinn 1S as at. L10. Another i'i'icniber 11 cia-operates with.

the portion l0 of the ineniber 3G :ind this nieinber. 11 ie provided `with :in opening therein into'` which the reduced portion 223 of the nut 22 projecte, the portion 2? of the nut formi-ng, a bearing for the incniber 41, :iboiit which the nieinber 4:11 moves, and; the shoulder #t2 fornied by the reduced portion 23 of the init prevents displacement of the nieinbcr #11. Anti-friction devices L13 may be proii'ided on thc i'iori'ione di) of ihr` nieinber 36 which nioie against the adjacent foce of the drinn 18. The portions e0 of the .niemberli and the ineinber Lt1 ijn'cferabllif overlap, and antitfniction devices 41 may he interposed between the overlappingl portioiliis. A coiled spring interposed between the nieniber 4.1 and the inei'nber 3G, one end of the spring [ireferzdjily renting agoinet o. nut 4G which is threaded upon :i: inember 4T carried by the member 3G. The other end of the spring preferably engages over fi pro jection 4S carried by the nieinber ll1 and which projection 48 is disposed preferably ist between two upstruck portions 49 on the member 41 to serve as a protection for thev spring.

The normal tendency of the spring 45 is to'force the member 36 into contact with the friction creating element or member 25, and the latter into contact with the inner face o-f the periphery 14 of the drum 10.

lWith this construction the degree of friction between one end of the friction creatingy member 25 and the periphery 14 of the drum will be such that when the spring 26 operates upon the drum 10 to cause the flexible member to be wound thereupon, the periphery 14 of the drum 10 will slip with respect to the friction creating element, but when thedrum lOisrotated in the opposite direction to permit the flexible member 15 to be unwonnd therefrom, the friction created between the face of the friction creating element 15 and the periphery 14 of thedruin l() will cause the friction creating member to expand, thereby increasing the degree of friction between these parts to retard such movement of the drum 10.

ln order to control the maximum degree of friction between these parts vor what is known as the peak load of friction, there is provided a lug or projection 50 carried by the drum 18. This projection 50 is arranged within the path of movement of a projection 51 that is carried bythe friction creating element preferably by being formed on the resilient member which is connected with the element 25. Y

'The spring 30 is provided with a predeL terniined degree of stress against which the movement ofthe friction creating member 25 operates when the friction member 25 is active to retard the relativel degree of rotary movement of the drums. That is to say7 when the friction creating element mov-es with the drum 10 to retard the movement of the latter, the drum will tend to eX- pand the friction creating member, and the movement of the friction creat-ing element with the drum 1() would, in the absence of the projections 51 continuev until the ends 31 and 38 of the springBO are brought into contact with each other. That is to say until the stress of the spring 3() is entirely overcome. j

By providing the projections 50 and 51 the degree of compression of the spring-EO on what is termed the load end of the friction member 25, that is where it is anchored to the drum 18 at the pointA where the Spring 30 is arranged, may be controlled. This is accomplished by arranging the projections 50 and 51 at predetermined p-oints with respect to the cycle of operation of the device' oi' movement of the drum 10. The projection 50 is so arranged that the projection 51 carried bythe friction member 25 will contact therewith at the time that the friction creating member is being carried or expanded by the movement of the drum 10 just at the time when the `maximum degree of friction is produced by the ycompression of the spring 30.` f i j That is to say, the projections 5() and 51 may be so arranged with respect to each other that the spring 30 will be compressed oiilyto a predetermined amount, thefspring 30 serving as a cushion between the load end of ythe friction creating `element 25 and the drum 18.

As soon as the projection 51 moves away from the projection v50 under the influence of the spring 26, the spring 30 will `again expand and the parts will assume their normal positions, the friction creating element 25 under such movement being contracted sufficiently to permit a free movement of the drum 10 with respect to the drum 18.

It will therefore be seen that with this improved construction rthe degree of friction at the high pointer at'tlie peak load of friction may be controlled or predetermined by the arrangement of the lugs 50 and 51 with respect to each `other in the cycle of operation or relative movement of 'the drum 10 with respect to the drum 18.

'A cap 52 see Figure 5) may be provided for the drum 10 and this cap may be removably held in position in any Vsuitable mannei', preferably bymeans of a split ring 53 which is adapted to be s erung over the edges of the cap and the adjacent edge of the periphery 14 of the drum'lO.

l/Vhile the preferred form of the invention has been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, within the `scope of the claims,

without departing from the spirit of this" invention.

lVhat is claimed as new is 1. A shock absorbing device including two i.

members relatively movable one with relation to the other and spaced from each other,

a friction element interposed between vsaidl members, means yieldingly connecting one end of said friction element with one of said members, said members having a free relativemoveinent in one direction, and means responsive to the relative movement of the said members in the opposite direction for causing saidfriction creating` element to retard the relative movement of the said members inthe last recited direction and for bodily moving the "said friction element againstthe stress of the said yielding connection. j

2; A shock absorbing device including two members relatively movable one with relation to the otlier and spaced from eaclr other, a. friction clement interposed between said members means vicldingly connecting' one end of said friction element with one of said members, said members having a free relative movement in one direction, means responsive to tbe relative movement of tbe said members in tlie opposite direction 1for causing said 'friction creating element to retard tbe relative movement of the said members in tbe last recited direction and for bodily moving tlie said friction element again-'1t the stress of tlie said yielding connection and means for controlling' the de- Lgrec c ricion created by tlie said friction element. i

3. A slioclr absorbing; device including` two membersrelatively movable one with relation to tbe other and. spaced from eacli other, a lfriction element interposed between said members, means yieldinely connecting one end of said friction element with one of said members, said members having a free relative movement inone direction, means responsive to tbe relative movelnent of tbe said members inV the opposite direction for causing said friction creating element to re tard tlie relative movement of the said members in the last recited direction and for bodily moving` tbe said friction element against tbe stress of tbe said yielding` connection, and means for controlling' the stress of tbe said yielding` connection for controlling t-lie degree of friction created by tbe said :friction element. o et. n rlioclr absorbing; device inclnfiling; two members relatively movin/ble one with rela-Y tion to tlie other and spaced from cach other`V a .friction element interposed between said members. means yieldingly connectin'ir one end of `said friction element with one ot said members said members liavino a free relative movement in one direction, means responsive to tbe rela-tive movement of tbe said members in the opposite direction for eansinfrr said friction creatingelcment lo-retard the relative movement of tlie said members in tbe last recited direction and for bodily movingn the said friction element against tbe stress of tbe said yielding' connection, and interengaeing' means` operatively related to one of die said members and tbe said friction element for controlling tlie degree of'frictlon between the said clement and tbe other of tbc said members.

5. A sbook absorbing;v device embodyingl a non-rotative drnm like member, a second. drinn like member rotative about the lirstsaid member and spaced therefrom, a fric tion element interposed between said mem ber and surrounding tbe periphery of the nona'otatii-'e member, a flexible draftmen'iberg means tendinir normally to wind tbe draf-t member upon the said rotative inember, saidmembers havinig a` free` relative movement in one directiom means responsive to the relative movement of the 1nc1nbers in tbc opposite direction for causing said friction element to retard` the relative movement of the said member in tllie, last recited direction, and means rendered activey at a predetermined time in the cycle of operation of the device for controlling the maxinxnm degree of friction created by the said friction element.

(i. fr sliock absorber embodying two niembers relatively movalfile one with relation to be other' and spaced, from eacli other, a friction element interposed; between said members, saidniemliers having' a .free relative movement in one direction, means responsive tbe otlrer andspaced from eacl'r otber, a.

friction element interposed between said members, said members bari-np; a l'ree relative movement in one direction, means rcspc'insi've to tbe relative movement of the.

said' members in tlie opposite direction for causing said friction element to create an increasingI degree of friction to retard tbe relative moven'ient of tbe members in tbe last recited direction, and means for controlling` tbe maximinn degree of such friction, tlio last recited means includingr a resilient connection between one ofsaid members and tlie said friction element and against tbe stress of wliicb connection the friction element operates daring sncli increase in the decree of frictiong and means for arresting; the operatiiin of the said friction element against tlie stress of said connection. i

8. A shock absorber embodying concentrically arranged drum like members, an open band like element disposed between the members, a resilient element connecting one end of said clement with one ot tbe members and against tbc stress of wbiclr. resilient element tbe said band is bodily movable by the friction created' between said band and tbe other of said members wben the memliers are relatively moved in one direct-ion, and means responsive to the last recited relative movement o l tbe incinbers for causing said' band like clei'ncnt to retard sncli relative movement ol" tlie said members.

9. A slioclt absorber embodying concentrically arranged drinn like members, an

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open band like element disposed betvveen the members, a resilient element connecting one end of said element with one of the members and against the stress of which resilient element the said band is bodily movable by the friction created between said band and` the other of saidmember when the members are relatively moved in one direction,

means responsive to the last recited relative movement of the membeils for causing the 4open band like Aelement disposed between the members and extending partially about one of the members, said members being `freely rotative in one direction one with relation to the other, a resilient element connecting one end of the said bandvvith one of said members, and means operatively connected with the other of said members and operable upon said band vvhen the members are relatively rotated in another direction to bodily move the said band against the stress of the said resilient element and thereby frictionally retard the last recited relative movement of said members. f

1l. A shock absorber embodying concentrically arranged drum like members, an open band like element disposed between the members and extending partially about one of the members, said members being freely rotative in one direction one with relation to the other, a resilient element connecting one end of the said band with one of said members, means operatively connected with the other of said members and operable upon said band when the members are relatively rotated in another direction to bodily move the said band against the stress of the said resilient element and thereby frictionally retard the last recited relative movement of said members, and means forcontrolling lthe maximum degree of friction exerted by the said band.

l2. A shock absorber embodying concentiically arranged drum like members, an open band like element disposed between the members and extending partially about one of the members, said members being freely rotative in one direction one With relation to the other, a resilient element connecting one end of the said band With one of said members, means operatively connected with the other of said members and operable upon said band when the members are relatively rotated in another direction to bodily move the said band against the stress of the said resilient element and thereby friction- Vally retard the last recited relative movement of said members, and means for limiting the extent oli stress exerted upon the said resilient element by the said bodily `.nmvement of the said band.

13. A. shock absorber embodying concenti'ieally arranged drum like members, an open band like element disposed between the members and extendingv partially about one of the iiiciubers, said members beiiig'freely rotative in one direction one With relation to the other, a resilient element connecting one end of the said band with one of said ineinbers, means operatively connected with the other of lsaid members and operable upon said band when the members are relatively -iotated iii another direction to bodily move the said band against the stress of the said resilient element and thereby frictionally retard the last recited relative movement of said members, and a stop for limiting the said `bodily .movement of the said band for controlling` the maximum degreeof stress vexerted by the said band upon the said resilieiitelement.

gt4- .fr shock absorber embodying concenti'ically arranged drinn like members, an

`open band like element disposed between the members and extending partially about one of the members, said membersbeing,freely rotative in one direction one with relation to the other, a resilient element connecting one end of thesaid band with one of said meiiibers,ineans operatively connected with the other of said members and operable upon said band `when the members are relatively rotated in another direction to bodily move the `said band against the stress of the said resilient element and thereby frictionally ietard the last recited relative movement of said members, means for controlling the maximum degree of friction exerted by the said band, a flexible draft element adapted to be Wound upon and univound from one of said drums, and means tending normally to wind said draft element upon the last said drum.

l5. A shock absorber embodying concentrically arranged drinn like members, an open band like element disposed between the members, and resilient means disposed between said band and one of the said members and continuously tending to bodily. move said band `in a general. direction about the pivot of one of said members When the said .members are relatively moved in one direction, said band frictionally engaging the other of the said members to be bodily moved 'therewith and against the stress of the said Sill lli)

open band like element disposed between the members, resilient means disposed between saidband and one of the said members and continuously tending to bodily move said band- 'in a general direction about the pivot of one of said members when the said members are relatively moved in one direction, said band frictionally engagingr the other of the said members to be bodily moved therewith and against the stress 'of the said resilient means when the said members are relatively moved in the opposite direction, 'thereby creating an increasing friction to retard the last recited relative movement of lsaid members, and meansfor controlling the maximum degree of friction thus created.

17. A `shock absorber embodying concentrically arranged drinn like members, an open band like element disposed between the 1nembers, resilient means disposedbet-Ween said band and one of the said membersand continuously tending to bodily move said band in a general direction about the pivot of one of'said members when the said members are relatively `moved in one direction. said "band frictionally engaging the other of the `said :members to be bodily moved therewith and against the stress of the said resilient means when the said members are relatively moved in `the opposite direction, thereliyr creating an increasing friction to retard the last recited relative movement of said men'ibers, and means individual to and operatively `connected with one of said members and the said band like element and adapted to be 4brought `into engagement to vlimit the stress exerted npon the said resi'lient means by the said band `for controlling the maximum degree of friction created l byfsaid band.

being rendered ina ctive by the relative move ment of said member in one direction and rendered active by `the relative movement of the member in the opposite direction Whereby frictional resistance Will retard the rlative movement of said members in one direction only.

1S). A shock absorbing device including two mem-bers relatively movable yone with relation to the other, friction creating material interposed between the opposed faces of said members. resiliently yielding means connecting said friction material with one of said members, said friction material being rendered inactive by the relative movement of said member in one direction and rendered active by the relative movement of the member in the opposite direction whereby frictional resistance will retard the relative moven'ient- 'of 'said members in `one direction only. and means for controlling the degree of friction created by the said friction matcrial.

ln testin'iony whereof I have signed my name to `this specification, on this 18th day of September, A. D. 1926.

EDVVARD L. LETNBACH. 

